VAIN BID FOR CROWN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21471, 20 April 1933, Page 6

VAIN BID FOR CROWN

WIFE OF THE EX-KAISEH PRINCESS HERMINE HUMBLED HITLER CRUSHES FOND HOPES Princess Hermine, wife of the exiled ex-Kaiser William 11., and Germany's wealthiest woman, recently became the unhappiest in the world because the great mission for which she went to Germany had failed. Hermine went to Berlin in February, on behalf of her husband to ascertain the chances for the restoration of the Hohenzollern dynasty—a restoration which, incidentally, would make her empress. She waited a whole week for the opportunity of seeing the man who holds the destiny of the Kaiser in his hands, says the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Express. That man is Adolf Hitler, the former house painter, and humble corporal in the Kaiser's army, now the most powerful man next to President von Hindenburg, the exKaiser's former field-marshal. On February 19, Hermine's hope? rose high. She had a long and confidential talk with the Vice-Chancellor, von Papen, an ardent monarchist. He ia said to have assured her, that he was doing everything in his power to bring the ex-Kaiser back to the imperial palace in Berlin. f Historic Meeting Arranged Hermine waited three days more for her great chance to see Hitler and place her plea directly before him. Hitler, of course, could not see her officially or publicly. Then Frau Victoria von Dirksen, widow of the- noted German diplomat, and step-mother of the German Ambassador in Moscow, arranged the historic meeting. Frau von Dirksen, once enormously wealthy, has long been an ardent Hitlerite. Her salon has been the gathering place of illustrious politicians even at a time when the Hitlerites were treated as outlaws by the forces in power. In Frau von Dirksen, the monarchists saw an ideal go-between. She was personal friend of the Hohenzollerns, and at the same time a " soldier," as she styled herself, in the Hitler Brown Shirt Army. The great evening came on February, 22. Frau von Dirksen had arranged an elaborate dinner party in her palatial villa in the Margaretenstrasse, just off the Tiergarten, the millionaire residential quarter of Berlin. The elegant party assembled precisely at eight o'clock in order not to keep Hermine waiting. Five minutes later, she appeared. To her surprise, and probably chagrin, the one guest whom she wanted to see so much was not present. The talented hostess started a somewhat forced conversation. Hermine bravely concealed her disappointment.

Hitler Appears at Last The minutes passed. The conversation flagged. The old English clock in the hall struck the quarter hour —and still no sign of the missing guest. Unnoticed, Frau von Dirksen sent * down the footman, then the butler, and finally the maid to look out for the Chancellor's motor-car. Another fifteen minutes passed. And at last Hitler walked in through the door which was being held open for him. Frau von Dirksen heaved a sigh of relief as she told Hermine,in almost a whisper, He has come." Several minutes again passed.-'Frau von Dirksen peered into the hall, and to her alarm saw that one of her distinguished guests had buttonholed the " leader " and was talking high finance. Frau von Dirksen stepped up and greeted her tardy guest. Hitler was perfectly unconcerned about his late arrival. His hostess led him into the drawing-room, and the first person to whom she introduced him was Hermine. Under ordinary circumstances, the introduction might have been difficult —a member of the former reigning house and the Chancellor. Who should be introduced to whom? But since Hermine was a woman it was Hitler who was introduced to her, of course. At dinner Hitler and Hermine were separated, But Hitler sat with Frau von Dirksen.

After dinner the long-sought tete-a-tete was arranged. There Hitler is said to have told Hermine that, much as he respected the house of Hohenzollern and revered their deeds on behalf of the Fatherland, he felt that the trme for the restoration of the monarchy was not ripe. The political and economic difficulties of Germany were so great, he is reported to have told Hermine, that it was impossible to risk a restoration. Hermine's heart sank. She tried hard not to show her disappointment. Whether she attempted to bring Hitler round to her point of view is not known; her nature would speak against such an action. Anyway ; as if by signal, Frau von Dirksen joined the two and switched the conversation off to something else.